University of Southern Mississippi Athletics
Soccer Plays Pair of In-State Foes
8/28/2014 12:00:00 AM | Women's Soccer
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - The Southern Miss soccer team returns to the pitch for a pair of games over the weekend against two in-state opponents. The Golden Eagles host Jackson State on Friday, Aug. 29 at the Southern Miss Soccer Complex in a game slated for 4:00 p.m. On Sunday, Aug. 31, the Black and Gold close out the weekend with a televised game at Mississippi State. The Golden Eagles and Bulldogs kickoff at 6:00 p.m. and can be seen on the SEC Network +.
Southern Miss enters the weekend with a 1-1-0 overall record. The Golden Eagles were edged by Nicholls, 2-1, but rebounded with a dominating 8-0 victory over Mississippi Valley State in a game shortened due to darkness.
Seven different Golden Eagle players scored goals on the night, including five goals coming from the bench. Alexia Hix paved the way for the Black and Gold, netting a pair of goals on the night. The true freshman recorded four shots, including three shots on goal and two goals. Allie Baumhower, Beth Coleman, Sarah Fortenberry, Breann Hedin and Anya Koren each scored their first goal of the season, while Becky McMullan notched her second goal.
Kay Kay Hypolite, Conner McKie, Lauren Bartholomay, Andrea Rivera, Coleman, Fortenberry and Hedin each added assists on the night.
Goalkeeper Brittany Taylor earned the victory in a shutout effort. The defense limited MVSU to just five shots, including two shots on goal. Taylor turned away both shots that were on target en route to the first shutout of the season.
Jackson State enters the weekend with a 0-1-1 overall record after a 0-2 loss against Southeastern Louisiana and a 1-1 tie against UT-Pan American in last weekend. Mississippi State begins the week with a 0-2-0 record after a 5-1 loss to Iowa State and a 1-0 defeat to Cincinnati. The Bulldogs travel to Greenville, S.C. to play Furman on Thursday, Aug. 28.
Southern Miss holds a 4-0-0 advantage in the all-time series with Jackson State. Last season, the Golden Eagles defeated the Lady Tigers 4-0 in Starkville, Miss. The last time the two teams met in Hattiesburg, the Black and Gold earned a 2-0 victory in 2011.
In the series against Mississippi State, the Bulldogs hold a 5-2-1 advantage. Southern Miss claimed a 3-0 victory against Mississippi State last season in Hattiesburg. The Black and Gold are 1-3-0 overall in Starkville, winning the first ever match-up between the two teams, 3-2, in 2002.
Scouting the Opposition:
Jackson State: Friday's game is the first game the Lady Tigers will play this season on the road. Jackson State has played two home games to start the year. After playing Southern Miss, JSU will host McNeese State on Sunday afternoon.
Mississippi State: Both of the Bulldogs' home games this season have been featured on the SEC Network +. Mississippi State travels to play Furman before returning home for their third consecutive televised home game this season.
